Emily Crose

Emily Crose is a renowned expert in technology, cybersecurity, industrial infrastructure, counter-extremism, and government transparency, with over a decade of experience. She is an ex-infotainment security specialist for the CIA, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the United States Army's Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). Emily served in the U.S. intelligence community for seven years before transitioning to the private sector. Her deep expertise and commitment to sharing knowledge have established her as a respected figure in cybersecurity and related fields.

Emily is the co-founder of Hacking History, a project dedicated to investigating how the United States government has interacted with the hacking community. Through this initiative, she sheds light on significant issues surrounding cybersecurity and government engagement with hackers. As a skilled educator and trainer, Emily regularly speaks and teaches on topics such as privacy protection and the potential risks associated with cyber warfare. Some of her notable presentations include Blood in the Wires, What Does Cyber War Look Like?, Intelligence Democratized: How We All Participate in Modern Intelligence Operations, Economic Espionage in the Modern Age, and How Worried Should We Be About "Cyber War"?. In addition, her talk titled So I Made a Microdot has been widely appreciated for its depth and relevance.

Emily's presentations provide actionable insights on safeguarding privacy and understanding cyber warfare threats. Her expertise extends to authorship, with her latest book, Hack to the Future, published by Wiley in October 2024. The book delves into the complex relationship between hacker culture and the U.S. government over the past few decades. It examines how hackers have influenced U.S. domestic and foreign policy and shaped global geopolitics, using both widely publicised events and more subtle actions as case studies.

Beyond her professional achievements, Emily is an advocate for LGBT+ inclusion and a champion of diversity in the tech industry. As a transgender woman, she shares her experiences working in male-dominated environments, highlighting the unique challenges faced by women, particularly transgender women, in such workplaces. Her advocacy aims to foster inclusivity and encourage more diverse representation in technology-related fields.

Emily is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, including events at the International Spy Museum and The Diana Initiative. She has also partnered with prominent events such as the TomTom Founder's Festival, Dragos Industrial Security Conference, GrimmCon 0x04, and the Diana Initiative.

Emily Crose was born and raised in the United States. Early in her life, she developed an interest in technology and security, which later shaped her professional career. She initially pursued a degree in history to become a history teacher, but she realised her passion for being actively involved in shaping the future rather than studying the past. This led her to switch to Information Assurance studies at Eastern Michigan University, where she began her journey into the field of cybersecurity.

Emily’s career in cybersecurity started when she joined the United States Army’s Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM). During her time there, she worked on both offensive and defensive cybersecurity operations. This work led to her later positions at the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), where she continued to build her expertise in network security and industrial control system (ICS) security. Her role in these agencies involved securing critical infrastructure, including electricity, water, and transportation systems, and developing strategies to protect these sectors from cyber threats.

In 2016, Emily transitioned as a transgender woman while continuing her work in cybersecurity. This transition marked an important personal change and informed her later advocacy for LGBT+ inclusion in the tech industry.

Throughout her career, Emily has developed expertise in industrial control systems and cybersecurity. She has worked on a wide range of projects aimed at improving the resilience of these systems, using both offensive techniques like penetration testing and defensive strategies to safeguard services.

Emily is also an advocate for transparency in government and efforts to counter extremism. She has given talks and presentations on these subjects at industry conferences. Her presentation topics include privacy protection, the realities of cyber warfare, and the risks posed by advancing technology. One of her talks, "Blood In The Wires," highlights the ethical concerns of technological advancements and the impact these developments have on certain communities.

In addition to her work, Emily is an educator and trainer, sharing her knowledge on topics such as cybersecurity, privacy protection, and the risks involved in industrial security. She has worked with several organisations, including the International Spy Museum and the Diana Initiative, contributing to discussions on security and diversity in the technology sector.

Emily’s book, Hack to the Future: The US Government’s Relentless Pursuit of Hackers, was published in October 2024 by Wiley. The book covers the history of hacking culture and its relationship with the US government. It explores moments such as the release of the Morris worm and the Melissa virus and analyses how hacker culture has changed over time. The book also examines the ways in which the US government has both opposed and integrated hacker activities into its geopolitical strategies.

Currently, Emily holds a senior technical role at Sophos Labs, where she continues her work in offensive and defensive cybersecurity. She is involved in projects aimed at securing industrial infrastructure and addressing the cyber threats faced by various sectors. In addition to her work at Sophos, she remains an active speaker at cybersecurity conferences, contributing her knowledge to discussions on cybersecurity, government transparency, and LGBT+ inclusion.

Emily Crose’s vision is to create a safer, more secure digital world by protecting critical infrastructure and promoting transparency in cybersecurity practices. She is committed to advancing cybersecurity measures that safeguard essential services like energy, water, and transportation systems. Emily also advocates for greater inclusion and diversity in the technology sector, ensuring that underrepresented groups have a voice in shaping the future of cybersecurity. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between technology, ethics, and social responsibility while empowering individuals and organisations to protect themselves from modern cyber threats.

She has been a key speaker at notable industry conferences, such as the International Spy Museum and the Diana Initiative. Her expertise in industrial control system security and her work with government agencies like the NSA and CIA have made her a respected figure in the field. Emily's advocacy for LGBT+ inclusion in the tech industry has also earned her recognition within the community. Her upcoming book, Hack to the Future, further highlights her influence in cybersecurity.